GPC executive committee member Dr Farah Jameel wrote in an online update that the GPC was 'encouraged' by health secretary Jeremy Hunt's recent commitment to a joint review of GP partnerships.

Mr Hunt announced the review in parliament earlier this month. In response to a question from fellow Conservative Gary Streeter, the MP for South West Devon, Mr Hunt said: 'We are doing what we can to reinvigorate the partnership model. I have agreed with the RCGP and the BMA that we will carry out a formal review of how the partnership model needs to evolve in the modern NHS.'

Ms Jameel said this week: 'The BMA GPs committee (GPC) is now working to shape this review to ensure that everything possible is done to support and sustain the partnership model.

GP partners

'We believe that the partnership model, and the independent contractor status of general practice, is why patients consistently report their overwhelming support for GPs, and is the foundation on which the wider NHS can and does deliver clinically and cost-effective healthcare to the population.

'It is crucial that the review considers incentives for existing partners to stay in work longer as well as incentives for newly recruited GPs to become partners. It is crucial that disincentives to become a partner are removed by reducing risks, improving pay, managing workload and implementing training opportunities and partnership schemes.'

BMA calls for new partnership incentives echoes themes set out in a debate that will open next month's UK LMCs conference in Liverpool.

The first motion that will be debated at the conference says partnerships are 'the most efficient and cost-effective way of delivering general practice, and calls for 'an incentive scheme to encourage GPs into permanent roles', plans to keep older GPs in practice, and to encourage non-GP staff to become partners.